Clayton's Story
The birth of a baby is an amazing experience the whole family loves. On June 21st 2010 the Renteria family was patiently waiting for what seemed like forever the new arrival Clayton. However, when he was born there was some problems with his lungs that made it hard for him to breath. The room was silent, as the family watched the doctors helping baby Clayton breath. He was soon rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where he could have better care. I asked his mother, Kim Renteria what it was like to have a child in the NICU. Kim said “it was terrifying. We got to hold him for about an hour before they took him off my chest, when they took him he turned blue. By the time all our friends and family came into the room, they could see what he looked like and how the nurses were responding. No one said a word. I remember thinking how creepy it was that everyone was so quiet. When they made the call to take him, it was almost surreal. I was so scared but tried to remain calm and strong for my two older kids that were watching me and my new baby.”
Clayton was born early due to his mother having toxemia and her being induced three weeks early. He was born with fluid in his lungs and needed to be on a C-PAP machine for seven days. The doctors had told Kim that her baby was fully developed and would be ready to come out soon anyways. No one thought that three weeks early would cost him seven days in the NICU.
Kim said the worst part about having a baby in the NICU was not being able to help him. “Seeing my new baby hooked up to all those, machines he was so miserable at first. It took him quite a while to get used to them. Also, not being able to touch or pick him up for seven days.” However, they made the best of the time they had in there. They were by Caytons side for seven days sleeping on a tiny couch every night rarely leaving the room. The room was tiny, meant for the parents to stay a few hours and then go home but there was no way Kim and her husband Curt were leaving their baby’s side.
Now, almost five years later Clayton is an average health little boy. He plays T-Ball at the local little league and loves it. You wouldn’t know just by looking at him that he’s been through so much in five short years. The doctors said there would be no life long problems or concerns but if he wasn’t so strong it could’ve ended worse.
Clayton was born early due to his mother having toxemia and her being induced three weeks early. He was born with fluid in his lungs and needed to be on a C-PAP machine for seven days. The doctors had told Kim that her baby was fully developed and would be ready to come out soon anyways. No one thought that three weeks early would cost him seven days in the NICU.
Kim said the worst part about having a baby in the NICU was not being able to help him. “Seeing my new baby hooked up to all those, machines he was so miserable at first. It took him quite a while to get used to them. Also, not being able to touch or pick him up for seven days.” However, they made the best of the time they had in there. They were by Caytons side for seven days sleeping on a tiny couch every night rarely leaving the room. The room was tiny, meant for the parents to stay a few hours and then go home but there was no way Kim and her husband Curt were leaving their baby’s side.
Now, almost five years later Clayton is an average health little boy. He plays T-Ball at the local little league and loves it. You wouldn’t know just by looking at him that he’s been through so much in five short years. The doctors said there would be no life long problems or concerns but if he wasn’t so strong it could’ve ended worse.